The Kitakami Chronicles

Chapter 12: The Nanjing Inferno

With Kitakami's rise to fame, the Communists were heavily demoralized. Peace negotiations were in the process but the war still had to be fought. Many pockets that the Nationalists skipped over have now shown signs of weariness regarding the war. Many areas were set up as a defense line to protect the northern capital of Beijing but many people in these regions were dissatisfied. Several cities declared themselves demilitarized and peacefully surrendered to the Nationalists. Unable to establish a defensive position, the PLA continued retreating north and westward. The end of the war was soon approaching. Nanjing was the last stronghold in the southern half of the country and this place will be Kitakami's next and possibly final assignment. Good news for her, the British were also assisting in this night operation. They were to send a few bombers for support. She along with the other mercenaries and ROCN ships gathered before Lo Yang who will tell them their mission briefing.

The Communist forces are beginning to take flight. The city of Nanjing has been crucial to the enemy's industrial strategy and the heart of it's war productions. It's also the former capital of the Republic of China. The Joint Forces have decided that all Communist war production must be stopped to expedite the end of the war, and has requested our participation of the operation. Operation Rundown is the name. The operation will primarily involve the bombing of ground facilities by the Joint Forces' bombers. Your mission is the support them with AA and attack enemy facilities. We have achieved near total air superiority over the area as well as naval superiority, thanks to you., around the targeted area, but don't let your guard down. There may still be sporadic resistance.

Understanding their mission clearly, Kitakami went back to her dock to pick up the necessary equipment for the mission. Since it was mostly land targets and possibly lightly armed river boats that she would face, the best course of action would be the use high explosive shells. However she decided it was best to use a mix with less HE shells because she knew that high explosives would risk collateral damage and could tarnish her image. Once her setup was complete along with Ooi, they headed out for the Yangtze River and sailed upstream towards Nanjing. The Joint Forces awaited them there and the Nationalist army that laid siege to the city began their advance to finally push their enemy out. The mercenary fleet approached the city only to see it start burning.

"Ooi to all units. I've confirmed a burning city up ahead."

"That must mean the bombing has started." Shiratsuyu said. Overhead was the sound of both British and Nationalist bombers.

"Help escort those bombers. Eliminate all ground and aerial threats." Tan Yang ordered.

"Let's move." Ooi told Kitakami.

"Understood. Guns are loaded and ready for bombardment." Kitakami confirmed her readiness.

"To all bombers. Remove the PLA's ability to counterattack. Priority is placed on destruction over accuracy." The lead bomber ordered his units.

"Initiating bombing sequence. Drop em' all!" Another Joint Forces bomber said.

Kitakami and Ooi passed by a factory with no defences. They knew it was best to avoid damaging it as their were still civilians working there. The mercenary cruisers also decided to launch their planes in the darkness to help escort those bombers. One bomb landed on the factory the two just passed and blew up near a fuel tank.

"A bomb has hit sector C! It's about to set off the fuel!! AARRRGGGHHH!!!!" A factory worker said before being killed by the blast over the radio. The sound of that chatter before static cut it off sent chills to Ooi.

"Turn it to ashes! That's not enough! Drop more bombs!" One Nationalist ship encouraged her allies.

"I thought they were on a precision bombing mission..." Ooi was perplexed by what was going on.